Fastening device for straps and the like



y 6, 1952 A. T. JESPERSEN 2,595,264

FASTENING DEVICE FOR STRAPS AND THE LIKE Filed June 27, 1946 INVENTOR. AKSEL r JESPERSEN;

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A TTORNE) Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FASTENING DEVICE FOR STRAPS AND THE LIKE This invention relates to fastening devices for straps, such as belts, wrist watch straps, and the like.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a fastening device of the above character, which is relatively simple in construction yet has great strength; to provide a fastening device and special strap construction cooperative therewith; to provide such a fastening device which is readily adjustable; to provide a fastening device for wrist watch straps and the like which will permit only a minimum of metal, if any, to contact the skin of the wearer; and to provide such a fastening device which will be operative on straps made of leather, plastic and other materials.

The above and other objects and novel features of this invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a belt provided with a fastening device constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross section of the device of Fig. 1, taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of the fixed end of the belt of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4. is an end elevational view of the fixed end of the belt shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken at the fixed end of the belt and on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a wrist watch and strap provided with a fastening device also constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view, taken from the rear of the wrist watch and fastening device of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side .view taken at one end of the-watch of Figs. 6 and 7; and

Fig. 9 is a' fragmentary perspective view of the fixed end of a strap, illustrating an alternative construction.

The fastening device of this invention is constructed to receive a strap which is preferably itself constructed to cooperate with the device. Thus, the buckle U and belt B of Fig. 1 are so constructed" in accordance with this invention, as are also the attachments of the watch W and the strap S'of Figs. 5 and 6. As in Figs. 1 and 2,

formed between the main portion of'the buckle and the bars I0 and It, respectively, the fixed end- I3 of the belt B extending through slot I2 and the free or removable and adjustable end I4 of the belt passing through slot I2. The underside of the base plate 8 at one end is provided with a lug I5 adapted to engage a slot, notch, or recess I6 formed, as in Figs. 3 to 5, inclusive, adjacent the fixed end I3 of the belt. A flange I1 is also provided at the fixed end of the belt, to engage bar II), thereby preventing the belt from pulling through slot I2.

Lug I5 is extended longitudinally and tapered toward the other end to form a rib I5a which may be provided with a curved under-surface I8 which guides the free end I4 of the belt during passage through slot I2, as evident from Fig. 2, and into a position in which one of adjusting holes I 9 will engage pin I I. As will be evident, the free end I4 of belt B is prevented from pulling through slot I2 by pin I I, and also tends to maintain the fixed end I3 of the belt pressed upwardly against the buckle. In assembling the belt and buckle, the free end is preferably passed from the inside toward the outside through slot I2, and the belt drawn through the slot I2 until flange I'I engages bar II). The engagement between recess I6 and lug I5 prevents lateral movement which would tend to dislodge the fixed end of the belt. With the fixed end thus secure, the belt may be placed in position and the free end I4 passed through slot I2, and then locked in position by engagement of the appropriate hole I9 with pin I I. The belt remains in position, since the pressure of the body of the wearer, for instance, against the free end will maintain the belt in position on pin II.

' However, by pulling the belt outwardly, such as the buckle U is provided with a base plate 8 having lateral flanges 9 to which are secured a transverse bar In at one end "and a corresponding bar I0 at the opposite end, the latter being provided withan' upstanding pin- I I Slots I2 and I2'are at point 20 adjacent the pin II, the belt can be loosened and reset to a tighter or looser position, or unfastened completely.

In applying the principles of this invention to a wrist watch W, for example, as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, a pair of buckles 30 and 30' may be pivotally attached to the watch W, as by pins 3|. Pins 3| may be welded, brazed or otherwise permanently fastened in position, since it is unnecessary to remove them for removal of the watch from the Wrist of the wearer, or adjustment of the strap S. Similarly to the buckle U, one Watch buckle 30 is provided with a bar 32 which provides an abutment for a flange 33 formed adjacent the fixed end 34 of the strap S. A lug 35, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, is adapted to engage a corresponding slot or recess in the fixed end 34 of strap S, and the top of the fixed 3 end 34 abuts against the main body of the buckle 30, to retain flange 33 in abutment against bar 32.

The opposite buckle is provided with a pin 36 extending from a bar 32', which is adapted to engage any one of several holes 31 formed in the free end 38 of strap S. As will be evident from Fig. 7, the holes 31 are spaced sufficiently from the free end of the belt so that the free end extends over substantially the entire back surface 33 of watch W. The free end of the belt thereby prevents the skin of the wearer from contacting the metal of the watch, thus overcoming a constant source of annoyance in the usual wrist watch construction-i. e., discoloration of the skin and/or other objectionable occurrences due to perspiration and the like. Only a very small amount of metal or other material, represented by the lower sides of bars 32 and 32, contacts the skin of the wearer, and these are sufficiently small in width so that there is no objection during normal use. Also, the free end 38 of the strap extends smoothly across the back of the watch, as is evident from Fig. '7, so that thecomfort of the wearer is increased.

An alternative construction of buckle 30 is shown in Fig. 8, wherein the buckle is provided with a pin 36, adapted to engage a hole 50 in the fixed end 34 of strap S spaced a corresponding distance from the edge of flange 33. In this construction, the fixed end of the strap is attached to the watch in a more secure manner.

While the flange ll of belt B and the flange 33 of strap S may be provided by an extra attached piece of leather, or of the same or different material as the belt or strap, which may be sewed and also glued to the belt or strap, it is possible to form the flange and the slot in the fixed end of the belt or strap in a different manner. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the fixed end of the strap may be provided with an attachment A, which may be formed of metal or other high strength material. The extreme end of the strap is clamped between a rear flange 4| and a pair of crimped boxes 42, and also may extend inside boxes 42, which are crimped over against the base of the attachment A. Boxes 42 provide between them a slot to engage lug 15 of Fig. l or lug of Fig. 6.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the fastening device of this invention fulfills to a marked degree the objects and requirements hereinbefore set forth. For instance, the fastening device is relatively simple to manufacture, since there are no moving parts for attachment and/or detachment of the belt or strap. (The pins 31 of the watch W are normal parts of awrist watch, rather than being parts of the fastening device.) Thus, the buckle U of Figs. 1 and 2 and the buckles 30 and 30' of Figs. 6 and 7 may be made of any suitable material and in any desired manner. A die casting, for example, may be found to be sufficiently strong, or they maybe formed of forged or worked material. Or, the parts may be stamped by a suitable sequence of operations performed in a dieing machine or the like. The free end of the strap is attached securely to the buckle and will withstand considerable twisting, etc. during use, but disengagewith the wrist of the wearer is provided, as discussed previously. It will be apparent that there are also other features of value of this invention.

It will be understood that the fastening device of this invention may be utilized in connection with numerous other articles, in addition to belts, wrist watch straps and the like. Also, although two different embodiments of this invention have been described, and variations ofstrap having a plurality of apertures in one end,

one of which is adapted to engage said pin, the thickness of the strap being substantially equal to the vertical distance between the base plate and the transverse bars, an open ended recess provided at the other end of said strap and adapted to engage said lug, and a depending flange also provided on the other end of said strap and adapted to engage said other bar.

2. A device of the character described comprising fastening means having upper and lower members including depending transverse bars defining slots at opposite ends of said fastening means, an upstanding pin formed on one of said bars, a depending lug on the base plate adjacent the other of said bars, a strap having a-plurality of apertures in one end, one of which is adapted to engage said pin, the thickness of the strap being substantially equal to the height of said slots, an open ended recess provided at the other end of said strap and adapted to engage said lug, and a depending flange also provided on the other end of said strap and adapted to engage said other bar.

3. A device of the character described comprising fastening means having depending transverse bars forming slots at opposite ends of said fastening means, an upstanding pin formed on one of said bars, a depending lug adjacent the other of said bars, a strap having a plurality of apertures in one end, one of which is adapted to engage said pin, the depth of said strap being substantially equal to the depth of said slots, an attachment secured to the other end of said strap, said attachment having an upwardly turned rear flange and a pair of upwardly extending laterally spaced, crimped boxes, said other end of said strap being held between said flange and said boxes, said lug being adapted to enter the space between said boxes, and-said rear flange being adapted to engage said other bar.

4. A fastening device of the character described comprising a base plate, flanges extendment of the belt or strap is relatively easy, as

explained hereinbefore. A further feature of invention, in connection with the application thereof to wrist watches and the like, lies in the fact that the skin of the wearer is protected from contact with substantially all the metal of the watch, and a smooth surface for engagement ing downwardly from the sides of said base plate, a pair of transverse bars secured to said flanges adjacent opposite ends of said base plate. said bars being spaced longitudinally from the ends of said base plate and thereby forming slots at opposite ends of said base plate, an upstanding pin formed on one of said bars, and a depending lug formed on-said base plate adjacent the other of said bars.

scribed comprising a base plate, flanges extending downwardly from the sides of said base plate, a pair of transverse bars secured to said flanges adjacent opposite ends of said base plate, said bars being spaced longitudinally from the ends of said base plate and thereby forming slots at opposite ends of said base plate, an upstanding pin formed on one of said bars, and a depending lug formed on said base plate adjacent the other of said bars, said lug being extended longitudinally and tapering toward the opposite end of said base plate to form an elongated rib.

6. A device of the character described adapted for extending around a portion of a body comprising a base plate having depending transverse end bars defining slots at opposite ends of the base plate, the outer extremity of each of the bars extending longitudinally beyond the extremities of the base plate, an upstanding pin on one of the bars, a lug on the base plate extending downwardly above the other of said bars, a strap adapted for extending around said portion of a body and having a plurality of apertures formed near one end, one end of which is adapted for engagement with the pin, the other end of said strap having an open-ended notch formed therein for engagement with said lug when the said other end is inserted in the corresponding slot over the transverse bar, said other end of the strap also having a depending flange on its inner surface below the notch for abutting engagement with the transverse bar when the lug is in engagement with the notch, the depth of said strap being substantially equal to the depth of said slots, whereby application of tension to the strap holds the notch in engagement with the lug and the flange in engagement with the bar.

7. A device of the character described comprising a strap having a free end and a fixed end, the free end having an aperture formed therein and the fixed end having an open-ended notch, a transverse flange on the inner surface of the fixed end below the notch, and a strap fastening device having a base plate, a depending transverse fixed end bar and a depending transverse free end bar secured on the base plate, each of said bars being spaced longitudinally from the base plate and defining strap-receiving slots having a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the strap, an upstanding pin on the free end bar for engagement with the aperture in the strap, and a depending lug on the inner surface of the base plate above the fixed end bar for engagement with the notch in the fixed end of the strap, whereby upon application of tension to the strap the notch is forced into engagement with the lug.

8. A fastening device for wrist watches and the like comprising a pair of buckles each having means at one end for attachment to a wrist watch, each of said buckles including an upper member, depending sid flanges on the upper member, and a transverse bar on the flanges spaced longitudinally from the uppermember and defining strap-receiving slots, one of said bars having an upwardly extending pin, a depending lug on the upper member above the other of said bars, a strap having a free end and a fixed end, the thickness of the strap being approximately equal to the height of said slots, said strap having an aperture near its free end for engagement with the pin and an open-ended notch in the fixed end for engagement with the lug, and a flange on the inner surface of the fixed end of the strap below'the notch for abutting engagement with the bar when the lug is in engagement with the notch and tension is applied to the strap.

AKSEL T. JESPERSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 222,865 Carnes Dec. 23, 1879 289,264 Hudson Nov. 27, 1883 320,165 Palmer June 16, 1885 509,937 Odom Dec. 5, 1893 703,878 Woodward July 1, 1902 1,797,653 Gross Mar. 24, 1931 1,958,911 Christofiersen May 15, 1934 2,129,494 Dinhofer Sept. 6, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 367,532 Great Britain Feb. 25, 1932 414,392 Great Britain Aug. 2, 1934 

